Top Reasons to Avoid DIY HVAC Repairs
Do-It-Yourself is an excellent concept, useful for visual home improvements such as paint jobs and creative projects. But no matter how tempted you are to try out your engineering and electrical skills on an HVAC system repair, it isn’t a wise idea.
Read on to find out why experts must perform HVAC equipment repairs.
Potential hazard
HVAC systems are highly technical, and the repairs involve work with high voltage electricity. Without the proper training in HVAC repair, homeowners attempting to repair their systems are often unsuccessful. Additionally, they may cause hazardous situations that can lead to accidents or injuries to themselves or others in the home.
The hazards aren’t always obvious and immediate. There’s an ongoing risk of carbon dioxide poisoning or fire while the system is in operation.
HVAC repairs require knowledge and experience
HVAC units are complex technical machines. Finding the root of a malfunction without extensive knowledge of the subject is hard, so professional diagnostics are necessary. A quick internet search typically suggests any HVAC system problem lies in a failing capacitor, motor, or clogged filter. But in practice, it isn’t always that simple. Furthermore, touching the wrong system elements may be dangerous.
HVAC repairs are time and money consuming
Any HVAC system repair involves multiple steps: diagnostics, repair, and testing. Finding the cause of the issue may take hours, especially for someone without proper expertise. Then, you’ll need to purchase the necessary tools and replacement parts, which are often costly and may not be available in the nearest store. Furthermore, the tools purchased may only be used once in a lifetime. The repair itself typically takes another couple of hours or a whole day for a non-professional.
Reduced system efficiency
Repairs performed by an HVAC system professional are necessary not only to ensure safety but also to retain or improve the system’s efficiency. Even if a homeowner manages to fix the malfunction, the repair may make the equipment operate inefficiently. This, in turn, increases operating costs and eliminates the savings on the repair.
Fixing small issues may lead to bigger problems
Non-professionals don’t see the root of small issues that could be a symptom of a bigger problem. Plus, it’s fairly easy to damage equipment parts while repairing others. That’s why professional diagnostics are necessary to eliminate the malfunction once and for all.
Voiding the warranty
Even successful DIY repair may have consequences. Most HVAC equipment manufacturers and professional installers explicitly state that DIY repairs and uncertified replacement parts void the warranty.
Typically, homeowners must provide proof that previous repairs were performed by a certified professional. Non-warranty repairs may cost a fortune, so saving once often leads to higher long-term costs.
Fix My Air DFW of Fort Worth specializes in residential and commercial HVAC services including routine maintenance, installation, and repair. All makes/models. Call us at (817) 439-9811.
